Bible Verses About the Poor

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This is not a metaphor. Jesus is describing the criteria by which we will be judged — and it is entirely about how we treated the vulnerable.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Not the spiritually poor — simply the poor. Luke's version of the Beatitudes leaves no room for softening.

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

To oppress the poor is to reproach God. To honor God is to show mercy to the poor. The two are the same thing.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?

God redefines what faithfulness looks like. It is not ritual — it is justice and bread for the hungry.

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

God has chosen the poor. That is a choice with consequences for how we treat them.